I am never going to stop singing the praises of Camilla Isley I can guarantee if I read her books, I will love it and this was no different. This book was fantastic, perfectly plotted and utterly unique. It was a fast, funny and delightful read, if you want a book to escape with then this is perfect.
#ItStartedwithaBook #NetGalley.

I didn't know if I was going to like this one when I started... a boyfriend from a book comes to life? Not sure why I questioned it - Camilla Isley always writes a fun book! This one was cute and fun - a wonderful summer/beach read. Nothing too heavy - just some good banter!

When Leighton finds a book in her room that seems to appear out of nowhere she starts to find herself dreaming of being inside the story. Then one day she happens to pull the MMC out of the book.

I enjoyed this book but it never really explained how she got him to come to life.

Leighton is sick of dating after a bunch of bad Tinder dates. She escapes into a used book she found, and soon starts dreaming of the town. She brings the main character back from her dreams though, and hilarity and romance ensues! So cute!

This was a cute premise for a romance novel. It was a little outside of my usual genres because I'm not much into the fantasy aspect of novels. However the characters were cute and sweet storyline was well-paced.

Leighton, a bookworm who is tired of dating, finds herself transported into the world of a romance novel. She wakes up to find herself in Lakeville Hills, a small town where the heroine wears shorty-shorts and the men drink bourbon. And there, standing before her, is the fictional billionaire cowboy Killian St Clair.
Initially, Leighton is hesitant to believe that killian is real, but as she spends more time with him, she begins to realize that he is more than just a character in a book.
As She navigates this fantastical new world, she mist grapple with the reality of her situation. Is she dreaming? is this all just a figment of her imagination? or is it possible that she has found true love in the most unexpected of places?

This is such a lovely and happy book! I loved reading it and it made me happy and lighthearted.
I loved the characters and as a massive bookworm it would be a dream come true if one of my book boyfriends came to life. Killian is such a sweetheart and I like how Killian and Leighton build their relationship. It’s so mature and well thought out way.
The plot is comforting and surprising because things didn’t quite go as I expected.
Overall, this was a comfort read that simply make you happy. Nothing dark or heavy involved! I loved it!

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to ARC read It started with a book!!

This is the perfect read for anyone who wished their book boyfriends were real. With a touch of magic, Leigh is transported into her books and slowly starts to fall for her perfect man. The catch is... he's fictional.

Leigh Witherspoon is sick of dating apps and blind dates that Ghost her after the third date. Especially when she's the only single one left in her friend group. She's turning more to her books for romance these days and when she finds a cowboy romance with the cover missing she gives it a try. But falling asleep reading gives her the best book boyfriend she's ever had when her dreams feel all to real. Soon she's ignoring her real life for her dream world... until her cowboy somehow follows her home.
This is a quirky mostly clean romance that we all wish we could experience. Of course, since Killian is the romantic hero of the story, he knows all the best things to say and is completely devoted to her. Helping him fit into "real life" created many hilarious scenarios. I liked this cute story with a truly original plotline.

This was such a fun book! Normally I am not much one for this specific genre and like "speed" of writing, but I enjoyed this very much. The way the book boyfriend became real, is a dream come true for all bookreaders, enemies to lovers added into the mix makes it even better. Plus, with that small hint of magic it was just really fun!

“He’s becoming less of a fabricated romance hero and more of a man I could really give my heart to every day.”

I’ll be honest, I grabbed It Started With A Book only because of the title. I didn’t even read the synopsis. I just love books about books. And what a surprise it was!
I truly loved how the author lists all the codes of romance books and twists them in this story. What if the best book-boyfriend you could dream about became real? That’s what happens to Leighton when she starts to write inside the pages of a mysterious book, crafting Killian who will –little by little– become real.
This is such an incredible idea, and this book is super simple and fast to read. Not only it is entertaining, but it explores the differences between book-fantasy and real life, in a very funny way, and mocks tenderly –while remaining respectful– the codes of romance. I truly loved that very different book. However, I wish Killian’s entering into the world was a bit more explained (a link with Leighton’s word would have been so much fun). But despite that, it was one of my favourite romances last summer.
If you love romance, if you’ve always dreamed that your book boyfriend was real, if lately you have the impression of always reading the same book, then I’m pretty sure you’ll have a great time with this fun story!


Thank you NetGalley, Boldwood books and Camillia Isley for the ARC. My opinions are my own.

Rate: 4.5/5

this was unfortunately a miss for me. the writing felt very amateur-ish which was a surprise knowing this author has a very extensive backlist. the premise was interesting but the way it was executed meant we got little to no relationship development. very meh experience overall.

If I had finished this book just a few days sooner it would have been part of a different review, but I finished it now, so the review is going to be the way it is.

I picked this book because I surprisingly enjoyed another book by the author with a topic I usually do not enjoy. This book was something similar, with a plot that I’ve read one or two times before and was not blown away by.

Unfortunately, even with the good writing as the overall growth ARC of the central protagonist, I didn’t love this as much as the other work.

Leighton is a computer engineer specialising in AI ( there was no call back to this with regards to the plot itself, although I kept thinking something would happen) as well as a book lover. She finds a book one lonely evening and finds herself dreaming herself into it. Soon things get a little crazy and unbelievable, but matters clarify themselves soon enough.

There is no explanation for the unexplained, which works in one way but felt like a loophole in the other. I would recommend the author to fans of the romance genre. This book was a fun read but not one that I would recommend highly.

I received an ARC thanks to Netgalley and the publishers but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience of this and one other book by the author.

A romcom for the ages that truly brings about a fantasy that we've all thought of at least once or twice - bringing our books (and its characters) to life. This was well written and made for an entertaining romcom that should be turned into a movie. It's giving early 00s romcom and I love it.

Fun and fluffy, this was such a great comfort read. Reminded me more of the last Ashley Poston than the authors listed, from the romance book becoming real plot, a new genre I am very much on board with!

I really enjoyed this book. Pure magical escapism in book form. It read more like a movie story and would be a great film. In the same way, there was a strong focus on the main couple with the supporting characters being not as noticeable. An enjoyable book

Forever the single person amongst the couples, Leighton turns to books for her romance. Until one day she finds a mysterious book on her shelves and starts to read. The hot billionaire cowboy in the story is her perfect man but the story abruptly runs out as she’s reading, and the rest of the book is empty. Then she falls asleep and finds herself in the story! Every time she wakes up, the book has noted down her dreams. Until one day she falls into the lake and wakes up drenched and with the cowboy in the bed next to her!

Now she’s stuck with her fantasy man but he’s no idea how to interact with the real world. Will love (and lust) prevail?

It’s a sweet story and I know in romcoms you have to suspend belief, but this was a stretch too far for me unfortunately. I’m usually a big fan of Camilla Isley but this one just felt too much like magical realism with a sickly sweet romance added, and it just wasn’t for me. If you like your romances super saccharine and with virtually no spice though, then this is the one for you. 3.25/5

I hereby crown Camilla Isley the queen of sweet romcoms! This was a fun, easy read with a good dose of magic & imagination. Perfect for a quick escape ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Fantastic. Such a great read, and utterly unique. As soon as I heard the premise I wanted to devour it. No disappointment here! Isley is fast becoming one of my favourite authors and the cover is just *chef's kiss*

The plot can feel repetitive at times, especially as it plays with familiar romance tropes without adding much depth. While the chemistry between Leigh and Killian is sweet, it sometimes feels too predictable, and the supporting characters, like Leigh’s friends and coworkers, don’t stand out as much as they could.

Despite these shortcomings, It Started with a Book is an enjoyable, escapist read for anyone looking for a playful romantic comedy. It’s not groundbreaking, but it’s a cozy, feel-good story for fans of the genre.